Remembering 26/11: TV channels gear up to pay homage to bravehearts and victims

TV channels had come under much flak for the coverage of Mumbai’s darkest 60 hours. A year later, the channels are geared to rekindle the memories of 26/11 with a series of programmes and specials, paying tribute to the bravehearts and victims alike.

With the Government having already issued a strict advisory to all channels, urging them to do balanced reporting while airing programmes on 26/11, it will be interesting to see how the news channels are saluting the enduring fortitude of India.

Zee News has launched a series of special programming under the mother branding of ‘26/11… Ab Aur Nahi’. As part of this initiative, the Mumbai Fire Brigade Association has joined hands with Zee News. The team will carry out a disaster management crusade in 30 schools across Mumbai and Delhi. The campaign has also got the exclusive support of actress Katrina Kaif, who has joined the journey to fight against violence.

India TV will air a documentary ‘Samandar’ on November 26 at 9 pm. The other programme initiatives include ‘Taj Ki Kahani, Taj Ki Jubani’, narrated by Raza Murad, ‘Main Hindustan Bol Raha Hun’, voiced by Harish Bhimani, and a special series called ‘Nahi Bhulenge, Nahi Sahenge’ which will feature eyewitness accounts of the terror attacks.

Vinod Kapri, Managing Editor, India TV, informed, “Amitabh Bachchan has exclusively given his voice to a special programme on the 26/11 attacks for us.”

Starting at 9 am on November 26, IBN7 is showcasing ‘Real Time Line’, a sequence of events on the night of 26/11. The programme will be narrated by reporters from each and every spot that came under attack, recalling the terror and fear that prevailed on that day.

There will also be a slew of special programming about the terror attacks, including ‘The Conspiracy’ at 10:30 am, a special show ‘The Taj’ at 5 pm, which will revisit the Taj Hotel along with other shows on Oberoi Trident and Nariman House. ‘Tasveeron Mein 26/11’ will showcase a slideshow of the terror attack, which will be aired at 11 pm.

Homage to bravehearts

While the terror attacks left several dead, it also saw people from all walks of life rising to the occasion and saving precious lives. To pay homage to the victims of 26/11, NDTV India has launched a campaign called ‘Ek Lau’, wherein viewers have been urged to light a candle in the name of all the victims. The campaign includes on-ground events where people will come together and light a candle in the memory of those who lost their lives and observe a two-minute silence to pay respect to the victims. The campaign will be spread across the country in major cities like Delhi (Select City Walk, Saket), Chandigarh (Plaza, Sector 17), Bangalore (Central, Near Mehoul Hall, MG Road), etc. Viewers can also join the campaign online as it is also integrated on Facebook and Twitter via NDTV Social.

As a tribute to bravehearts, Zee News is creating a roadblock on November 26 and will pause transmission at 8:58 pm for two minutes. All channels under Zee News Ltd with reach across the length and breadth of the country and deep regional penetration would come to a standstill.

Rohit Kumar, Marketing Head, Zee News, said, “There will be a roadblock across Zee News Ltd channels to salute the undying spirit of the Indians and stand against terrorism to put India first. All Zee News network channels will observe this roadblock.”

Meanwhile, Discovery channel will air a special programme on the attack – ‘Surviving Mumbai’ – bringing together candid and personal accounts from people who were caught in the siege. Readings from the actual transcript of phone calls between the gunmen and their commanders and CCTV footage from the hotels will give the chilling account of the real story. ‘Surviving Mumbai’ will air on November 26 at 8 pm.

National Geographic Channel along with Miditech will air an hour-long special on the unknown facts behind 26/11. Called ‘Inside Mumbai Terror Attack’, the programme captures the terror, devastation and chilling details of the hostage drama, the faces that planned and executed the attacks, the stories of those who survived, and the tears of those who almost did not. It will be aired at 8 pm and 11 pm on November 26.